Fusion Materials Scientist

Munich

Full-time

Permanent employee

About the role

Materials’ performance and qualification are central to the design of a fusion power plant. In-vessel and blanket systems must combine low activation, thermal and mechanical performance, resistance to irradiation and corrosion, tritium control, manufacturability and a credible industrial supply chain. These requirements involve metals, ceramics, composites, coatings, joints and breeder or shielding materials.

GFG is looking for a Fusion Materials Scientist to work across various aspects of material science. The role connects design, Materials properties, Materials Concepts, manufacturing, and supply-chain work, in collaboration with industrial partners, universities and national and international laboratories.

The successful candidate will support Gauss Fusion's current and planned materials portfolio, including low-activation steels, first-wall and blanket interfaces, SiC-based materials, shielding materials, breeder-material lifecycles and irradiation-relevant qualification. Assignments may include activities along a broad range of Projects, according to active priorities and approved project scopes.

Main responsibilities

Translate plant and component functions, load cases, interfaces, safety requirements and lifetime targets into materials requirements and acceptance criteria
Lead materials activities across metals, ceramics, composites, coatings, joints, breeder materials and shielding materials
Define qualification strategies and phased test programmes from material screening and coupons to representative mock-ups and components
Plan and review chemical, microstructural, mechanical and thermophysical characterization, including corrosion and compatibility, permeation, fatigue, thermal cycling, high-heat-flux and irradiation-relevant testing as applicable
Assess degradation and failure mechanisms and translate test evidence into design decisions, operating limits and lifetime assessments
Provide materials input to mechanical design, manufacturing routes, joining and coating development, neutronics and activation, tritium management and nuclear-safety activities
Define specimen matrices, test protocols, data-quality requirements, uncertainty treatment, traceability and technical acceptance criteria
Develop materials specifications, databases and qualification evidence, and support code-entry and licensing-readiness roadmaps
Review supplier and partner deliverables, facilities, process genealogy, quality records and non-destructive examination plans
Coordinate technical interfaces, deliverables, risks and decisions across research projects and support the preparation of work packages, proposals and technical reports
Evaluate industrial scale-up, supply-chain resilience, recycling and end-of-life implications for fusion-relevant materials
Work with Quality, Nuclear Safety and Export Control experts where materials, data or technologies require controlled handling, and attend activities at partner and supplier premises.

Qualification and educational requirements

A master's degree or PhD in materials science, metallurgy, materials engineering, solid-state physics, nuclear engineering or a closely related field
Technical experience:
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in materials research, development or qualification, preferably in fusion, nuclear, aerospace, energy or another safety-relevant industry
- Strong expertise in at least two relevant material classes or technologies, such as reduced-activation or 9Cr steels, stainless steels, tungsten and refractory metals, ceramics or composites, coatings, diffusion barriers, joints, breeder materials or shielding materials
- Hands-on experience with materials characterization and testing, such as microscopy, chemical and phase analysis, mechanical testing, fracture or fatigue, thermophysical measurements, corrosion or environmental exposure
- Experience defining test matrices and qualification evidence under a quality-management system, with controlled data, specimen and process traceability
- Sound understanding of material degradation under high temperature, cyclic loads, irradiation, transmutation, corrosion or hydrogen-isotope exposure; direct fusion experience is preferred but not mandatory
- Ability to interpret and apply relevant material, pressure-equipment or nuclear design and qualification standards, for example EN standards, ASTM, ASME BPVC or RCC-MRx
- Experience coordinating technical work with research institutes, testing facilities, manufacturers or suppliers and producing reviewable technical documentation

Competences and preferred skills

Strong understanding of process-structure-property-performance relationships and how they affect component design and qualification
Ability to analyse incomplete or conflicting materials data, quantify uncertainty and make clear, evidence-based recommendations
Familiarity with materials databases, statistical analysis or computational materials and lifetime-modelling tools is an advantage
Experience working with industrial suppliers and research partners on technical scope, test plans and deliverables
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical approach to experimental planning
Clear technical writing, documentation and presentation skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams spanning design, neutronics, manufacturing, quality, safety and commercial functions
Familiarity with magnetic fusion, fission or other nuclear systems is preferred but not mandatory
Proficiency in English; the ability to communicate in German and/or French is preferred

Über uns

At Gauss Fusion, we have a clear mission: to accelerate fusion energy's industrialisation and make it a reality in Europe.

Gauss Fusion is a unique greentech company founded in 2022 by private industrial companies from France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It brings together a combination of cutting-edge scientific research and industrial expertise in fusion energy that is unique in Europe. The company is helping to shape a sustainable, independent energy supply in Europe with stable prices and high availability through fusion energy, the solution that will complements renewables like solar and wind, ensuring reliability and sustainability.

The founding companies are among the leading European companies in the fusion industry. As such, they have decades of experience, expertise and an extensive track record in the manufacture of components and technologies for the fusion industry. At the same time, we work closely with world-renowned research institutions and leverage the best practices from the industry to unlock the power of fusion.

Join us on our journey to revolutionize the energy landscape and make fusion power a reality.

The time is now!